UK: Acid attack punishments assessed in government review

LONDON: Sentences for people who carry out acid attacks in England and Wales could be increased as part of a “wide-ranging” review, following a rise in incidents.

Ministers have faced calls to tighten laws, including for the sale and possession of acid, after five attacks in one night in London on Thursday.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told the Sunday Times that perpetrators should “feel the full force of the law”.

“Life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors,” she said.

Politicians and acid attack survivors have called for tougher sentences on perpetrators, and MPs are also due to debate the issue in the Commons on Monday.

The review will look at existing laws, the response of police, sentencing, how people access harmful products and the support offered to acid attack victims.

Attacks doubled

According to the Home Office, carrying out an attack with a corrosive substance can already result in a prison sentence of up to life. Being found in possession of acid, with intent to carry out an attack, can mean a sentence of up to four years.

Assaults involving corrosive substances have more than doubled in England since 2012 to 504 in 2016-17, according to a Freedom of Information request to police forces by the BBC.

Separately, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said more than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in England and Wales in the six months to April 2017.

Where the age of the offender was known, one in five was younger than 18.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the attacks in London on Thursday.

Announcing the plans, Ms Rudd said: “Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally.”

She said it was “vital that we do everything to prevent these sickening attacks”.

“The law in this area is already strong, with acid attackers facing up to a life sentence in certain cases,” Ms Rudd said.

“But we can and will improve our response.”

Monday’s Commons debate will be led by Labour MP Stephen Timms, who is calling for carrying acid to be made a crime – similar to carrying a knife.

Under the current law, if police stop someone carrying acid they have to prove intent to cause harm.

Acid attack survivor Katie Piper has said victims face a “life sentence” and also called on tougher sentencing to act as a deterrent.

In a letter published in the Scars, Burns & Healing medical journal on Thursday, she said: “I will continue to need operations and therapy for life. For acid attack survivors, the aftermath is a life sentence.”

Another measure in the government’s plan includes ensuring that police record victim impact statements so courts are made aware of the “full impact” of the attack.

‘Under sinks’

Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, told BBC 5live this issue was not a “new crime”.

“It has been escalating in London. Unfortunately these substances are used in so-called honour-based violence, in domestic violence, and by gangs in retribution.

“It’s not a clear picture, so we need to get more intelligence, more data together.”

However, Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, has admitted that tighter regulations are difficult to enforce because “these chemicals are under everyone’s kitchen sinks”.

Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, told BBC 5live this was not a “new crime”, but “has been escalating in London”.

“Unfortunately, these substances are used in so-called honour-based violence, in domestic violence, and by gangs in retribution.

“It’s not a clear picture, so we need to get more intelligence, more data together.”

She had admitted that tighter regulations would be difficult to enforce because “these chemicals are under everyone’s kitchen sinks”.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton, the NPCC’s lead for corrosive attacks, also said it was “virtually impossible” to ban the sale of all corrosive substances.

Bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances, according to the NPCC.

She said: “We are working closely with the Home Office and retailers to determine how we can keep these products from people who intend to cause harm.

“Police have dealt with a number of high-profile cases in recent months and we continue to collect data from police forces across England and Wales to understand the scale and extent of these attacks and develop our ability to support and protect victims.”__BBC